| Plymouth Herald | - |
WE
TRY to get to Plymouth every tour," says Moody Blues
singer/songwriter/bassist John Lodge, talking about this week's show at
Plymouth Pavilions. "It's a part of the world I really like, I have fond
childhood memories of holidays there." The band are ...
Moody Blues John Lodge: 'When we first played Plymouth we drank a lot of cider and stayed in a tent'
|
Posted: June 04, 2015
Comments (0)
WE TRY to get to Plymouth every tour,"
says Moody Blues singer/songwriter/bassist John Lodge, talking about
this week's show at Plymouth Pavilions.
"It's a part of the world I really like, I have fond childhood memories of holidays there."
The band are one of the more regular visitors here, never failing to attract faithful fans many of whom have followed them for over 40 years.
Since their early days of pioneering prog-rock in the Sixties, they've shifted some 70 million records and won countless gongs, including the Ivor Novello Statue, for Outstanding Contribution to British music.
Few bands who originated in the Sixties look quite so well preserved as the Moody Blues, John, Justin Hayward, and Graeme Edge have matured gracefully and still retain that rock star charisma that was always part and parcel of their massive success.
It's partly because they're still doing what they love.
"I just love travelling, I'm a Gypsy anyway," says John. "During the day, before the gig, I wander off and explore.
"It's never a case of just seeing the inside of airports and hotels, I want to be out and about.
"And if I find somewhere I really like, then I'll be back with the family
!"
More than that, of course, it's all about the music, they love performing and never tire even of their ubiquitous pop classic Nights In White Satin.
However, getting the Moody's together for a tour is one thing, but getting them together in a studio is quite another.
John had written a load of material he wanted to record but when dates didn't match up with the others in the band, he decided to make it a John Lodge album.
He recorded 10,000 Light Years Ago with guest appearances from former Moodys members, Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder.
"I think the theme has continued in the music of the Moody Blues and it's a musical record of our generation travelling through life.
"I kept having this train of thought, 'The future is always in reach but the past is gone forever'.
"I started to write the songs a few years ago, largely between tours and encapsulated who I am today via my musical influences that include rock'n'roll, prog rock, classic rock and (French jazz violinist) Stephane Grappelli."
Push him for his favourite track and he says it's Simply Magic.
"It's about always keeping your eyes, ears and emotions open – and it's for my grandson.
"Seven years ago I couldn't have written that song, but just when you thought nothing could get better, my grandson has added another dimension to life."
John himself has many dimensions to his life and he's passionate about wine.
Last month, his Krisemma 2011 Red Bordeaux was awarded a bronze medal at the 2015 International Wine Challenge Awards.
"We make wine in California with a wine maker and my daughter Emily is in charge," beams John, who is clearly delighted at the award.
"I've always been interested in wine and have had vines for a while but this bronze award was a total surprise."
If you'd told young John that his life would pan out in this way he would probably never have believed it.
He had planned to become an engineer, but music took hold early on and even then he loved touring.
"We did our first tour while still at school and part of the fun of it was getting booked to play in different places we'd never heard of.
"I remember it taking ages to get to Plymouth! In those days we did a lot of cider drinking and stayed in a tent.
"Then, at the height of the madness, touring was actually quite difficult as hotels and transport as we know them today did not exist.
"And during the Sixties and Seventies it was a case of fingers crossed, hoping that the gig actually happened on the night.
"It's so very different now, and so well organised.
"I now turn up, slip on stage, my guitar tech gives me my bass and I think, 'How did this happen?'
"And for me it's about singing, playing bass and performing the very best I can to get that crowd reaction…"
Saturday, June 6, Plymouth Pavilions
end quote from:
"It's a part of the world I really like, I have fond childhood memories of holidays there."
The band are one of the more regular visitors here, never failing to attract faithful fans many of whom have followed them for over 40 years.
Since their early days of pioneering prog-rock in the Sixties, they've shifted some 70 million records and won countless gongs, including the Ivor Novello Statue, for Outstanding Contribution to British music.
Few bands who originated in the Sixties look quite so well preserved as the Moody Blues, John, Justin Hayward, and Graeme Edge have matured gracefully and still retain that rock star charisma that was always part and parcel of their massive success.
It's partly because they're still doing what they love.
"I just love travelling, I'm a Gypsy anyway," says John. "During the day, before the gig, I wander off and explore.
"It's never a case of just seeing the inside of airports and hotels, I want to be out and about.
"And if I find somewhere I really like, then I'll be back with the family
!"More than that, of course
, it's all about the music, they love performing and never tire even of their ubiquitous pop classic Nights In White Satin.However, getting the Moody's together for a tour is one thing, but getting them together in a studio is quite another.
John had written a load of material he wanted to record but when dates didn't match up with the others in the band, he decided to make it a John Lodge album.
He recorded 10,000 Light Years Ago with guest appearances from former Moodys members
, Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder."I think the theme has continued in the music of the Moody Blues and it's a musical record of our generation travelling through life.
"I kept having this train of thought, 'The future is always in reach but the past is gone forever'.
"I started to write the songs a few years ago, largely between tours and encapsulated who I am today via my musical influences that include rock'n'roll, prog rock, classic rock and (French jazz violinist) Stephane Grappelli."
Push him for his favourite track and he says it's Simply Magic.
"It's about always keeping your eyes, ears and emotions open – and it's for my grandson.
"Seven years ago I couldn't have written that song, but just when you thought nothing could get better, my grandson has added another dimension to life."
John himself has many dimensions to his life and he's passionate about wine.
Last month, his Krisemma 2011 Red Bordeaux was awarded a bronze medal at the 2015 International Wine Challenge Awards.
"We make wine in California with a wine maker and my daughter Emily is in charge," beams John, who is clearly delighted at the award.
"I've always been interested in wine and have had vines for a while but this bronze award was a total surprise."
If you'd told young John that his life would pan out in this way he would probably never have believed it.
He had planned to become an engineer, but music took hold early on and even then he loved touring.
"We did our first tour while still at school and part of the fun of it was getting booked to play in different places we'd never heard of.
"I remember it taking ages to get to Plymouth! In those days we did a lot of cider drinking and stayed in a tent.
"Then, at the height of the madness, touring was actually quite difficult as hotels and transport as we know them today did not exist.
"And during the Sixties and Seventies it was a case of fingers crossed, hoping that the gig actually happened on the night.
"It's so very different now, and so well organised.
"I now turn up, slip on stage, my guitar tech
gives me my bass and I think, 'How did this happen?'"And for me it's about singing, playing bass and performing
the very best I can to get that crowd reaction…"Saturday, June 6, Plymouth Pavilions
end quote from:
No comments:
Post a Comment